Tsubaki Stationery Store: A gentle tale about the art of writing letters

Writing is a fundamental aspect of literature, yet few stories focus on the art itself. Stephen King delved into the lives of authors in *The Shining* and *Misery*, but Ito Ogawa's *Tsubaki Stationery Store* puts writing front and center. The novel follows Hatoko Amemiya, or "Poppo," a young woman who inherits a stationery store from her grandmother in the seaside town of Kamakura, Japan.

However, her true calling is that of a scribe, penning letters for others. The book focuses on how Hatoko writes, with Ogawa detailing each decision, such as the style of writing (vertical or horizontal), paper choice, ink, envelope, and even the stamp. Hatoko's talent lies in empathy; she learns about the needs and desires of those she writes for and captures their essence in each letter.

This results in a gentle and immersive story about the life of a scribe and the quiet impact of writing on those around her. Through her letters, written in both English and Japanese, we are reminded of the quiet power of the written word and encouraged to put pen to paper ourselves.